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First 4x4 opinions


Cornishfowler
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I use a Jimny, it's great I'm 20 too pal, just got some General Grabber ATs on it and it's massively improved that handling. I don't use it off road much, but it does.see mud and it is good. In terms of space. .. I lower the two back seats and I fit everything I need in there... dog, gun, stick, bag, waders etc with room left it's a great car I love it :) it's not powerful... but it's not meant to be, it's got a hard ride but then that's because it's got proper 'off road' suspension - live axles with coil springs front and rear, ladder chassis, selectable 4wd with low box.

 

I'd recommend one pal. Don't get me wrong, I'd love a bigger, more powerful diesel 4x4, but then I love cars and love 4x4s. But I love my Jimny, I've had great fun in it and it's perfect for me at my stage, does everything I need and want and has taught me a lot about 4x4s and how to drive one because it's a pretty basic platform.

 

Good luck with your decision, get what you feel happy with:)

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You're twenty .... define your idea of "light mudding" :rolleyes:

 

I trialed for donkeys years and there's some basic rules to follow if you want a good off roader. As low as possible but as high as necessary (don't go up if you don't need to). Keep centre of gravity as low as possible, low ground clearance stops you, too high kills you on side slopes (without cage). Don't fit junk high up (see previous), in fact don't fit junk at all (Light bars?) Don't fit harnesses unless you fit a cage first. (you need to be able to lie flat in a roll over)'

 

Don't get carried away by looking at mates off roaders or ones you see in pictures covered in junk and lifted sky high, keep it sensible and you'll leave them for dead. Go to a few trials and find the full modified sections, look a those motors and see how they do it.

Well Rodp "light mudding" Is lamping and shooting in the wet winter months, Its not going to be as extreme as going to pay and plays or trialing. Just a vehicle which will be capable of all the things you would naturally find out in the field!

 

 

 

 

I use a Jimny, it's great I'm 20 too pal, just got some General Grabber ATs on it and it's massively improved that handling. I don't use it off road much, but it does.see mud and it is good. In terms of space. .. I lower the two back seats and I fit everything I need in there... dog, gun, stick, bag, waders etc with room left it's a great car I love it :) it's not powerful... but it's not meant to be, it's got a hard ride but then that's because it's got proper 'off road' suspension - live axles with coil springs front and rear, ladder chassis, selectable 4wd with low box.

 

I'd recommend one pal. Don't get me wrong, I'd love a bigger, more powerful diesel 4x4, but then I love cars and love 4x4s. But I love my Jimny, I've had great fun in it and it's perfect for me at my stage, does everything I need and want and has taught me a lot about 4x4s and how to drive one because it's a pretty basic platform.

 

Good luck with your decision, get what you feel happy with:)

What sort of MPG do you get from your jimney? To be honest I kind of wrote them off for being too small but maybe its worth having a test drive?

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There is plent room in the Jimny with the rear seats down,even better if you remove them all together.Ive never struggled to get my kit in & if a mate comes his gear goes on the top shelf (removable)MPG I haven't really got a clue & im on my second Jimny.My 1st one was raised,but too firm on tarmack so I got a newer standard & just stuck AT's on.Fun to drive and awesome off road.

Big advantage is its small & light so farmer doesn't mind me driving most places( common sense used off course) & if I have work do do I just put the trailer on the back.

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Edited by Davyo
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Well Rodp "light mudding" Is lamping and shooting in the wet winter months, Its not going to be as extreme as going to pay and plays or trialing. Just a vehicle which will be capable of all the things you would naturally find out in the field!

 

 

 

 

What sort of MPG do you get from your jimney? To be honest I kind of wrote them off for being too small but maybe its worth having a test drive?

Yes they're a 'small' 4x4, but I, like Davyo, don't struggle for space. MPG I've no idea; never got round to working it out, maybe 30-32 I don't know really :/ but they are fun to drive and would be perfect for your needs :) get some AT or MT and they'll go pretty much anywhere.

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There is plent room in the Jimny with the rear seats down,even better if you remove them all together.Ive never struggled to get my kit in & if a mate comes his gear goes on the top shelf (removable)MPG I haven't really got a clue & im on my second Jimny.My 1st one was raised,but too firm on tarmack so I got a newer standard & just stuck AT's on.Fun to drive and awesome off road.

Big advantage is its small & light so farmer doesn't mind me driving most places( common sense used off course) & if I have work do do I just put the trailer on the back.

Damn it That does look good especially with the roof racks, It does sound like a good choice.

What are they like security wise? (you don't hear them getting nicked like landys)

 

The only draw back I feel would be the lack of power of the 1.3 in the daily commute but perhaps thats a sacrifice id have to make to go down the 4x4 root anyway.

 

What are they like to work on? IE basic maintenance? do they have rust problems at all?

Modification, or an extra?

As in would I have to declare and LED light bar to my insurance?

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They are fine to drive.0-60 is as expected but they will plod slong at 70mph no bother.If you look at one,always lift the rear seats and check around the seat belt bolts,the rear floor from the seat to the back needs inspecting throughly.The latest one I got is pristine & ive had all the underside cleaned and undercoated.They are simply to work on and service,but this one I let the dealer service as it's warranted for 3yrs.

Security,I've never has a problem and the only ones I've heard of being nicked are ones that where modded,lift kit full off road tyres,winch ect.Mines a second car,but I love driving ,the roof rack was on my 1st Jimny that was a full mod. I took it off as I found that all my kit fitted in the back, plus as others have said you don't need a fully modded 4X4 regardless of what you decided to get unless your going greenlaning of pay & play.A good set of tyres is all you need mate regardless of the truck you decide on,good luck.

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Well Rodp "light mudding" Is lamping and shooting in the wet winter months, Its not going to be as extreme as going to pay and plays or trialing. Just a vehicle which will be capable of all the things you would naturally find out in the field!

 

 

 

 

 

Fair enough, it's just that I can still remember being 20 and having a 4x4 :good: Young un's tend to get carried away :lol: And if any advice stops it being on a stretcher so much the better :good:

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To be honest roof racks and lights were probably more for the looks than the functional-ability , although i Could use them they wouldn't be in permanent use.

So perhaps its about finding the best standered truck than the one I


To be honest roof racks and lights were probably more for the looks than the functional-ability , although i Could use them they wouldn't be in permanent use.

So perhaps its about finding the best standered truck than the one I

I could modify the most!

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Although a lot of people are suggesting the Jimny remember that is has no street cred what so ever....just imagine the look of disappointment on a girls face when you pick her up for your first (and last) date.

 

Joking aside they are good little trucks but IMO not suited as your only car if you do a lot of commuting. I can imagine the 1.3 engine and suspension will get very tiresome plus the MPG for such a small truck is rubbish. I personally think money would be better spent on either a Rav 4 or CRV, engine choice would be 2.0td. These cars are both mainly designed for road use so pull nicely and are comfortable however have proven themselves as good little 4x4s (with the right tires) when required as long as your not going too extreme as such means you can also pick up some clean examples that have had an easy life.

 

You may find by having the diesel the MPG savings will cover the increased insurance costs. Also keep in mind insurance does not just work on engine size so you some cars can be considerably cheaper even though they have bigger engines as I found out when I was 21 and went from a 2.0td mondeo to a 2.7td Nissan Terrano, a lot bigger engine and vehicle but a lot cheaper to insure.

Edited by ferguson_tom
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Although a lot of people are suggesting the Jimny remember that is has no street cred what so ever....just imagine the look of disappointment on a girls face when you pick her up for your first (and last) date.

 

Joking aside they are good little trucks but IMO not suited as your only car if you do a lot of commuting. I can imagine the 1.3 engine and suspension will get very tiresome plus the MPG for such a small truck is rubbish. I personally think money would be better spent on either a Rav 4 or CRV, engine choice would be 2.0td. These cars are both mainly designed for road use so pull nicely and are comfortable however have proven themselves as good little 4x4s (with the right tires) when required as long as your not going too extreme as such means you can also pick up some clean examples that have had an easy life.

 

You may find by having the diesel the MPG savings will cover the increased insurance costs. Also keep in mind insurance does not just work on engine size so you some cars can be considerably cheaper even though they have bigger engines as I found out when I was 21 and went from a 2.0td mondeo to a 2.7td Nissan Terrano, a lot bigger engine and vehicle but a lot cheaper to insure.

Thanks Ferguson tom, I think the trend here is to find a car which is good on the road and can pull its finger out when picking up or lamping.

So il defiantly have a look at your suggestions!!!

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